Structural device.



hurrah s'rairns PATENT curios.

JOHN R. KELLER, OF GRAFTON, PENNSYLVANIA, -ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN MECHANICAL TOY COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

STRUCTURAL DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Got. a, 1917.

Application filed February 14, 1916. Serial No. 78,107.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, Joint R. KELLER, a

citizen of the United States of America,

residing at Grafton, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Structural Devices, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

The primary object of my invention is to provide simple andv substantial means whereby connections maybe made between two or more stifl' metal strips of structural shapes and to provide lateral, longitudinal and transverse bracing and connections for such shapes. It is more particularly adapted for use with light strips and shapes such as are supplied for the erection of mechanical toys and models, but it may also be used for heavier and more practical purposes as may be required in constructing bridges, trusses and the like. These strips are more or less stiff so that they will hold up for the uses for which they are intended. They may be resiliently flexible, but pliable flexible material like leather straps, cloth and the like are not suitable for this purpose. Other advantages of my invention are reduction of the number of screws or bolts used in making connection, ease of application and consequent saving of time.

I will now describe my invention so that others skilled in the art to which it appertains may understand and construct the same, it bein premised, however, that changes may lie made in the structures shown and described without departing from the invention claimed.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention in a universally adaptable form; Fig. 2 is a plan view showing my device used as a connection between two flat pieces. longitudinally; Fig. 3 shows the method of making a transverse connection between four flat pieces; Fig. 4 is an elevational view of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 shows a variation of my device for use with perforated structural shapes; Fig. 6 shows in perspective another form for similar uses, Fig. 7 is a plan view showing this form used in making a longitudinal connection between two erforated strips; Fig. 8 is a sectional elevational view of Fig- 5, and ig 9 and 10 are views of a modification of Fig. 5, Fig. 9 showing a right angle connection between two members 3.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the reference numeral 2 indicates a plate member that is provided with a plurality of fixed ears or flanges 2 and 2 that are oppositely disposed as shown, so that when thisplate 2 is interposed between the strips 3 which it is desired to connect, with the bolt or screw hole 4 of the plate registering with a similar opening.or screw hole 5 in each strip 3, and secured by the screw 6, said flanges will extend along the edges of the strip in the manner clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4; spacing of the flanges from one another being buckling or pivotal movementof the strips on one another at this point of union. Furthermore, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, the two sets of flanges 2 and 2 are so spaced from one another and extend from the plate 2 such a depth or length as to afford means for looking a strip 3 which it"might be desired to connect at right angles to the strip 3 and to secure by means of the same bolt or screw 6; the shoulders 2 of these flanges constituting the abutting face for the strip 3.

In lieu of forming the plate 2 with the edge flanges 2 and 2", I may employ, as shown in Fig. 5 a similar plate 8 having oppositely disposed bosses or teats 8 and 8", preferably formed by striking up from the body of the plate, of such character and so spaced with respect to the bolt hole or screw hole of the plate and the like holes of the strips, as to be received by the holes of the strip in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 8, so that when the fastening device 6 is tightened the clamping action of the two opposing strips 3 on the interposed plate 8 will firmly seat the bosses 8 and 8 in the openings 5 of the strips.

In another modification of my invention, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the plate 7 corresponding in function with the plate 8, is

rovided with fixed terminal tongues 7 and b which function similarl to the bosses 8 and 8 of the plate 8 of Fig. 5, in that they are received in openings 5 in the plate members 3. In Figs. 9 and 10 a plate similar to plate 8 is shown. The late 9 having the the bolt hole 4" ofi'set row a line taken such as to prevent any appreciable.

or unions may be effected by using only one screw or bolt, so that assembling of the parts in the making of a toy or other device is greatly facilitated. Furthermore, it permits of the employment of intersecting pieces or cross bars in such manner as to multiply the possibilities of toy constructmg.

Having thus described my invention, what I- claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described, a plurality of separable structural pieces, each provided with a plurality of holes, a plate provided with a hole, a bolt passing through said last-mentioned hole and certain of said first-mentioned holes for detachably fastening the parts together, and lugs on said plate in engagement with other of said first-mentioned holes toprevent the rotation of the pieces around the bolt as an axis.

2. In a device of the character described, a plurality of stifi separable structural strips with their adjacent ends in overlapping position, each strip having a series of holes adapting them to various uses, a single plate lying between said strips and provided with a bolt hole, a single means for, clampingsaid strips tosaid plate, comprising a device extending through one of the series of holes in each strip and through the hole of said plate for detachably clamping the same together, said plate being also provided'with fixed rigid lug portions, each engaging a hole in said strips but unattached thereto to prevent the movement of the strips relatively to each other around the clamping means as an axis.

3. In a connecting plate adapted to lie between two perforated strips, a body portion having a single hole to receive a bolt, and a plurality of fixed stiff bosses struck up in opposite directions from said body portion, projecting in opposite directions therefrom, and adapted, respectively, to enter perforations in such strips.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN R. KELLER.

Witnesses:

JOHN F. WILL, IRENE F. GEY'ER. 

